UPDATE: #117Fire south of Colorado Springs 100% contained
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says that the #117Fire has burned a total of 42,795 acres. As a safeguard, fire crews will continue to monitor containment lines, and extinguish any hot spots that may pop up.
From Friday into Saturday the control over the fire will transition from state to local authorities.
All evacuations have been lifted. However, the Sheriff’s Office warns that residents should expect to see blowing ash and a little smoke in the area over the next couple of days.
In total, there were 23 homes destroyed and 17 people were displaced. The American Red Cross is helping to assist eight families in connection to the fire.
Other organizations are also stepping up to help those affected by the fire.
Volunteers help Hanover fire evacuees cope with frustrations.
Stories of inspiration and strength from those at the #117Fire
PHOTOS: Rebuilding Hanover after the #117Fire
THURSDAY: The fire is now fully contained. The cause of the fire still hasn’t been officially determined.
As of Thursday morning, 300 workers were on the ground battling the fire, including two hotspot teams. Two large air tankers from Pueblo and Denver have been assisting in the firefighting efforts. Jim Schanel with the Sheriff’s Office explained why the Global Supertanker is not being used.
“Different fires require different tactics,” Schanel said. He continued to say the Supertanker wasn’t appropriate for this fire.
No people have been injured, but it was reported that two first responders were treated for smoke inhalation. Twenty-three structures have been lost. There have been cattle and small animal deaths, but we do not have any exact figures.
Bill Fortune with the American Red Cross said no one has used the shelter in Fountain, and the shelter is closing Thursday. Fortune urges people affected by the fire to call the casework hotline at 719-785-2768 for immediate services and resources.
Right now there are no victim funds set up, you can donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund. Authorities will have an update Thursday afternoon on where to bring donations to victims of the fire.
For questions or information on the fire, you can call 719-428-5223.
WEDNESDAY
El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder said Wednesday afternoon, that the number of structures destroyed has reached 23. Seven were said to be vacant. He said 16 families are displaced and then reiterated the importance of residents staying clear of evacuation areas.
Elder also said the fire had grown slightly to the south after it blew north earlier Wednesday. He said there are still flames but they have decreased in size from what was seen Tuesday.
Elder also clarified that another fire near Edison that had crossed into Lincoln and Crowley counties Tuesday is now contained.
Around 1 p.m. Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said it delegated authority to a state of Colorado Type 2 team to lead command in the firefighting effort. The command center will stay at the Pikes Peak International Raceway.
Sheriff Bill Elder said he thinks crews are making good headway, but they’re still concerned about the fire’s movement to the north, saying that area was seeing the worst flames Wednesday. He said the matted grass was a problem because of drifting embers creeping underneath and igniting the grass.
Elder also said Wednesday afternoon that two more structures were destroyed, bringing the total to 12. Mandatory evacuations were still in place, and Elder warned against returning to homes until the fire subsided. He said a number of animals were injured and others were evacuated. About 370 homes were said to be in the evacuation zone, and close to 1,000 people were affected.
Elder thanked Fort Carson for its help in providing air support. Multiple Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters were seen dropping flame retardant on the southern flank of the fire, closer to Pueblo County. He said the supertanker isn’t being used because it doesn’t make the precise drops that are needed for this type of fire and isn’t beneficial for the cost. He said some ground equipment is getting stuck in loose soil that’s being overturned during the firefighting effort.
After mostly defending structures and helping with evacuations on Tuesday, Elder said that firefighters are on the offensive and are attacking the fire as much as they can.
The American Red Cross still has its shelter for civilians at the Fountain Valley Baptist Church, but it also set up cots for first responders at Hanover High School.
Hanover schools will remain closed Thursday, according to the district.
The fire was estimated to be about 40 miles long by 10 miles wide, Elder said earlier Wednesday.
Earlier
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said in a press conference Wednesday morning there are no known human injuries, but two first responders have been treated for smoke inhalation and should be fine.
Some people have returned home, but evacuations remain in place.The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office encourages people to remain evacuated. If the fire ends up blowing back north, there could be more evacuations.
The fire, being called the “117 Fire,” began burning Tuesday afternoon along Interstate 25 between Fountain and Pueblo. (PHOTOS) The cause of the fire is unknown. Over 200 firefighters from around the state have been working to put out the fire. So far, roughly 10 structures have been destroyed.
Sheriff Bill Elder said there was another fire on the eastern edge that stretched into Lincoln and parts of Crowley County, and ended up combining the two fires. Elder said they have called in help from other states.
Elder said the fire burned quickly, with 50-foot flames covering 35 miles within a few hours.
“I had one deputy say he was going about 35 mph down the road and the flames were going faster than he was,” Elder said.
With less wind pushing the fire and the addition of the aerial assets Wednesday, Elder says he hopes to get some containment, particularly on the southern flank of the fire.
According to Elder, Fort Carson canceled all training Wednesday and diverted operations to help fight the fire. The winds will allow for an air attack today, so Fort Carson will have five helicopters up over the fire.
The fire call center opened again Wednesday; if you have questions or need additional information you can call 719-575-8888.
The El Paso County PIO tweeted out Wednesday morning, saying the fire burned an estimated 60,000 acres. The tweet was later deleted and then corrected.
Earlier story
Several minor injuries have been reported. El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder said about 200 firefighters are working in the area, but that efforts were primarily on saving structures and preventing injuries Tuesday night.
EPCSO said the fire started burning in the area of mile marker 117. ( MAP ) A mandatory evacuation notice was issued for residents two miles east from Hanover Road south to County Line Road. At 8 p.m., a pre-evacuation order was issued for the Pueblo Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant, a facility that houses leftover mustard gas. The chemical plant issued a statement saying its stockpile is “safe and secure.”
Hanover Schools were placed under a mandatory evacuation at 2 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office. Children were evacuated to the Rancho Midway Community Church on Indian Village Heights. The school district will also be closed Wednesday.
Additionally, schools in the Edison 54JT district are in the evacuation area, and are closed Wednesday.
According to emergency crews, the official civilian evacuation point was set up at Fountain Valley Baptist Church at 500 W. Alabama Ave.
Residents who need help evacuating large animals can call 575-8888. T-Cross Ranches in Colorado Springs was also opened for evacuees with large animals, according to owner Bobby Norris. Several animal injuries were reported, according to Elder.
The fire spread east rapidly and crossed over Milne Road and South Peyton Highway at 3 p.m. By about 6 p.m., the winds shifted and started sending flames south. Within two hours, the fire had crept across the county line into Pueblo County.
The sheriff’s office says the shifting winds have made it difficult for firefighters to set up a containment, and no estimate on size was given as of 4:20 p.m. The heavy winds have also prevented air support from being able to drop water from above, but air support efforts are expected to begin at 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to Elder. Fort Carson will also cancel training and is sending soldiers to help fight the fire.
Officials said that the multiple fires throughout the state have put a strain on firefighting resources. At least five large fires were reported in Colorado Tuesday.
Firefighters are focusing on rescuing people and preventing damage to structures before they begin attacking the fire. The fire is expected to burn through the night, and people were encouraged to stay clear of the area to let crews work.
At least 10 structures have been lost, and El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder said at least one deputy’s patrol unit was lost in the fire. ( PHOTOS ) Elder hinted at the state of Colorado stepping in to lead the firefighting effort, and a disaster declaration for the county was signed Tuesday night.
EVACUATION MAP: (Colors indicate the order of evacuations, not severity)
Sheriff Elder also said the county is now under Stage 2 fire restrictions. (An explanation can be found at the bottom of this article)
Tuesday’s Red Flag warning was extended until 10 p.m. and the area’s high wind advisories were extended until 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Video sent by a KRDO viewer showed the flames near the interstate, and few firefighters were on the scene as of 1:20 p.m.
The fire’s size hasn’t been estimated but it was reportedly growing north and east due to the high winds.
This is a developing story, check back for details. ( PHOTOS )
Stage 2 restriction prohibits the following activities:
1. All open fire and open burning as defined other than those with explicit permission.
2. The sale or use of fireworks.
3. Outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
